Brad Finstad v. Jeff Ettinger: MN 1st District Live Election Results

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA — Polls have closed in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, and results are starting to trickle in for the special election between Republican Brad Finstad and Democrat Jeff Ettinger.

Stay with Patch as we bring you live results on what may be a very long election night.

The special election is happening as a result of the vacancy left by Rep. Jim Hagedorn, who died of cancer in February.

On Tuesday, voters who live in the old First District — the pre-2020 Census version — will decide who will serve out the final four months of Jim Hagedorn's term in office.

Unofficial live vote totals:

With 11 percent of precincts reporting, Brad Finstad is up 7,151 votes to Jeff Ettinger's 4,595 votes, the New York Times reported.

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Meanwhile, voters in the new First District — the one that was created after the 2020 Census was released — got to vote in a primary Tuesday that will decide which U.S. House candidates should be on the general election ballot in November.

In addition to the special election ballot, Finstad and Ettinger are also on the primary ballot.

"I am running because I think we owe it to the next generation to do better," Finstad told Patch in a candidate profile. "The rising cost of living especially the cost of energy is a major problem. I know I am a conservative who can work to get things done for the people of southern Minnesota..

Finstad adds that he has "years of experience working on policies that help our rural communities and farmers," and that if elected, he will look forward to working on the annual farm bill.

Ettinger did not respond to Patch's interview request.